How to Apply

Apply to the MPP program.

What will the admissions committee review to make its admissions decisions?

We will consider each applicant's complete application. See the Batten Application Checklist below for the complete list of application requirements.

Application & Application Instructions

Read These Instructions Before Starting the Online Application:

Thank you for choosing to apply for admission to the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy!

Application Deadlines

Admissions Round

Application Deadline(5:00 pm EST)

Decisions Released

Deposit Deadline

Round #1(Early Action)*

November 19, 2014

December 12, 2014

February 6, 2015

Round #2(Standard Deadline)**

January 7, 2015

February 13, 2015

April 17, 2015

*The Round 1 (Early Action) will allow those students who know Batten is their 1st choice to apply early and, if admitted, are prepared to accept the offer of admission.

All supplemental materials (official transcripts, GRE/GMAT/LSAT and TOEFL scores) must be submitted/postmarked by November 19, 2014.

**The Round 2 (Standard Deadline) will still allow applicants to be considered for fellowship awards as award funds remain available. All supplemental materials (official transcripts, GRE/GMAT/LSAT and TOEFL scores) must be submitted/postmarked by January 7, 2015.

Admitted Student Weekend

March 2015

All admitted applicants will be invited to attend a welcome event in the spring to celebrate their admission to the program and to introduce them to the Batten, University of Virginia and Charlottesville communities.

ITEMS TO SUBMIT THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLICATION:

The following items will be collected through the online application:

Resume or Curriculum Vitae. You will be prompted to upload this document in the application system. A word or .pdf document is fine.

Two (2) Mandatory Essays. You may answer both questions separately in the same document – just be sure to address the particular focus of each question according to the parameters below:

What work, activity, or education experience has best equipped you for work on public policy? In what way? Please limit your answer to 250 words.

Why do you want to study leadership and public policy? In other words, what motivates you? Please limit your answer to 500 words.

Application Addendum (OPTIONAL). There is no penalty for not submitting an application addendum! However, some applicants may have additional information that would be useful for the admissions committee. Feel free to amplify the positive dimensions of your background that are not covered in other parts of this application. Similarly, you may wish to put some seemingly negative information in your application into context for the admissions committee. Please format this application addendum as a letter to the admissions committee, not to exceed one page.

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation. You are required to submit two letters of recommendation. Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation via this online application module. There will be more instructions regarding letters of recommendation within the application itself.

$60 Non-Refundable Application Fee. You must submit your application fee with a credit card via the online application. For questions about payment by credit card or if you believe you qualify for an application fee waiver, please call 434.924.3477.

ITEMS TO SUBMIT VIA MAIL OR ALTERNATE AGENCY:

Official Transcripts. Official transcripts are required for all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Batten School by the registrar of each school. Transcripts submitted which are not in the original, unopened envelope provided by the registrar of each school will not be considered official and will need to be replaced.

International Transcripts: Students submitting international transcripts should follow the specific instructions listed under International Applicants.

Official GRE Scores. You are required to take the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores should be forwarded directly from Educational Testing Services to the University of Virginia (Code 5820). We will accept either the old or new format test scores. However, you must retake the GRE if your scores are more than five (5) years old.

For dual degree applicants: We will accept your LSAT scores in lieu of the GRE if you are also applying to the University of Virginia School of Law and the dual JD/MPP degree program. We will accept your GMAT scores in lieu of the GRE if you are also applying to the Darden School of Business and the dual MBA/MPP degree program.

If you will be submitting an alternate standardized test score in lieu of the GRE, please alert the admissions team at FBSAdmissions@eservices.virginia.edu or 434.924.3477 after you have started but before you submit your application. You will not be able to submit your application until we note in the system that it will be receiving an alternate test score.

Postal Mail should go to:Your official transcript(s) should be sent to the address below:

Director of Admissions and Financial AidFrank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy235 McCormick Rd, PO Box 400893Charlottesville, VA 22904-4893

Physical Address (for overnight of mail, FEDEX, UPS, and DHL):

Director of Admissions and Financial AidFrank Batten School of Leadership and Public PolicyGarrett Hall235 McCormick RdCharlottesville, VA 22904

START YOUR APPLICATION!

Please complete the interest page to get a username and password, and so that we can keep in touch with you during the application process.

FINAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Once you have completed the application forms to your satisfaction, click the Submit button at the top of the page. This will guide you through the final steps necessary to electronically submit your application to the Batten School.

Please note that you may submit your application only once, and that once submitted, you will not be able to make changes to your application!